Roswell Approves Staff Outsourcing Contracts

Following up on the city's unprecedented move to outsource a number of staff jobs within the 2013 fiscal year's budget, finalized the measure by contracting out several areas of staff work during its meeting on Monday.

As part of an endeavor to balance the budget without raising the millage rate or reducing service, Roswell agreed to during the budgetary process this past spring.

Code enforcement services were contracted out to SAFEbuilt Georgia, a Colorado company with offices in Johns Creek and Milton for $695,000 annually. City Administrator Kay Love estimated the move will save the city $150,000 per year. However, the entire savings may not be realized the first year since the city will have to pay a transition fee, which is currently an unknown amount.

The company's services will include building code administration, permitting inspections, plan review, code enforcement, public education and outreach.

"The main goal is enhanced customer service," said Director of Community Development Alice Wakefield.

Most of the current code enforcement staff, whose jobs are being outsourced,  have been set up with an outboarding plan and are likely to apply for positions with SAFEbuilt, according to city staff. Love stressed the company's treatment of its employees as a major reason the mid-range proposer was chosen from the four code enforcement service proposals the city received. Opportunity for employee bonuses and advancement are greater within SAFEbuilt than with the city, she said.

"We will not know until we try," said Love, responding to criticism over the move to outsource.

The council also approved a memorandum of understanding between Roswell and the city of Pelham, Ga. for housing inmates who've been sentenced to remain incarcerated for longer than 72 hours. Roswell will pay the city of Pelham $30 per day, per inmate for housing, food, transportation and routine medical treatment.

The city estimates the annual cost to Roswell will be around $345,000.

Roswell Councilwoman Betty Price hopes the over four hour trip to south Georgia is a deterrent to would-be wrong doers, whose friends and family would likely have to travel further to see them.

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Also during Monday night's meeting, the council - which was absent Mayor Jere Wood, as well as council members Kent Igleheart and Rich Dippolito - approved amending the current city budget, which ends June 30, to increase the projected revenue, use of reserves and expenditures.

The city recognized a combined $228,000 of additional revenue from confiscated assets ($28,000) and recreation participation fees ($200,000). Some reserve funds went to pay down the city's debt service, worker's compensation and replace computers and software at the .

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